THE Rose Theatre Youth Group is putting on its first production on the venue's main stage at the weekend.

The curtain will rise on The Great Irish Potato Famine, which features a cast of 16 youngsters aged 12 and over, on Saturday at 7.30pm. Ben Kenyon and Sophie McGrath in the Rose Theatre Youth Group's production The Great Irish Potato Famine.

The group was formed two years ago as a partnership between Wyre Forest District Council and the Rose Theatre.

Youngsters have been rehearsing since August with the help of drama workers Leshea Nevin-Lucilla and Anulka Varley.

Jane Stickley, council arts development officer, said: "The group has staged a performance in the studio before but this will be their first time on the main stage.

"It's a serious subject but also focuses on the humour in the human spirit among all the misery, hardship and starvation."

Ticket information is available by calling the Rose Theatre box office on 01562 743745.